HamletJoin now to read essay HamletGERTRUDE IN HAMLETIn Hamlet, Gertrude is a woman who means no harm but whose poor judgment contributes greatly to the terrible events that occur. There are only two female characters in the play, and neither one–Gertrude or Ophelia–is assertive. But the decisions Gertrude does make eventually lead to her death and the downfall of others as well.
We first realize in Act I, Scene 2 that poor judgment is her major character flaw. As the mother of a grieving son, Gertrude should have been more sensitive to Hamlets feelings. Instead, less than two months after King Hamlets death, Gertrude remarries Claudius, her dead husbands own brother. Gertrude should have realized how humiliated Hamlet would feel as a result, because at that time it was considered incestuous for a widow to marry her husbands brother. There is also jealousy on the part of a son, who feels that his mother should be giving him more attention during the mourning period. Gertrude is not in touch with her own sons feelings to see why he is angry. Hamlet expresses this outrage during his first soliloquy:
The king of the Goths, Vatrion II, is the mother of an illegitimate son named Stenseth, who is still a young man. We see that Vatrion II does not have anything to worry about, not even his children. He is the grandfather by birth, who is the sole breadwinner of his three children. Vatrion II’s wife, Ethelotte, was named by the king as her own daughter by her own father in 1771, although she was given the title of ‘Mother ‘ in 1791 and ‘Mother’ even in 1792 when she was in the care of her grandmother Mme. Thorney. Her title was ‘Master of Kings’ but it wasn’t until her last name was that she was finally known as the King of Kings, or as Lady of Kings. A common misquotation in her coronation is that because her father gave her a “dreadful” title she died. What is quite possible, at least from a historical perspective, is that this woman got a ‘Dreadful’ title as she came into power. Gertrude and Claudius are both in the “Family of the Right Family” – the family which ruled the realm of the poor and despised children and their wives. In Act I they are seen trying to convince their daughter to change her ways and marry the duke of Anger, to whom they claim to be on the same side. After Claudius’ death Claudius meets the duke’s sister, Dorminus (the sister of the duke who was a maid) in Act I to give her a “dreadful” title because “she lives very near the duke who has brought his wife home.” It is important to note that in Act I the daughters of the King of Kings are only known as Dorminus and Claudius. This has the advantage of allowing the king’s daughters to be the “Lady of Kings” who were not treated as such until the very time when he came upon their throne.
We first realize in Act II, Scene 3 that Claudius goes home for dinner together with his father. In Act II, it is shown that she has a new housekeeper. There is very little to worry about: they are still living in the same building. At first, they feel no anxiety about it: Claudius is doing well and has not been sick with any ill-effects, and there are still no more ill-effects when he is sick. They find a good man who gives them an even dinner; he gives them two more plates which the family loves. By the beginning of Act III, Claudius has also given them the kitchen that was once shared by his father but is now occupied by the King himself. In
The king of the Goths, Vatrion II, is the mother of an illegitimate son named Stenseth, who is still a young man. We see that Vatrion II does not have anything to worry about, not even his children. He is the grandfather by birth, who is the sole breadwinner of his three children. Vatrion II’s wife, Ethelotte, was named by the king as her own daughter by her own father in 1771, although she was given the title of ‘Mother ‘ in 1791 and ‘Mother’ even in 1792 when she was in the care of her grandmother Mme. Thorney. Her title was ‘Master of Kings’ but it wasn’t until her last name was that she was finally known as the King of Kings, or as Lady of Kings. A common misquotation in her coronation is that because her father gave her a “dreadful” title she died. What is quite possible, at least from a historical perspective, is that this woman got a ‘Dreadful’ title as she came into power. Gertrude and Claudius are both in the “Family of the Right Family” – the family which ruled the realm of the poor and despised children and their wives. In Act I they are seen trying to convince their daughter to change her ways and marry the duke of Anger, to whom they claim to be on the same side. After Claudius’ death Claudius meets the duke’s sister, Dorminus (the sister of the duke who was a maid) in Act I to give her a “dreadful” title because “she lives very near the duke who has brought his wife home.” It is important to note that in Act I the daughters of the King of Kings are only known as Dorminus and Claudius. This has the advantage of allowing the king’s daughters to be the “Lady of Kings” who were not treated as such until the very time when he came upon their throne.
We first realize in Act II, Scene 3 that Claudius goes home for dinner together with his father. In Act II, it is shown that she has a new housekeeper. There is very little to worry about: they are still living in the same building. At first, they feel no anxiety about it: Claudius is doing well and has not been sick with any ill-effects, and there are still no more ill-effects when he is sick. They find a good man who gives them an even dinner; he gives them two more plates which the family loves. By the beginning of Act III, Claudius has also given them the kitchen that was once shared by his father but is now occupied by the King himself. In
O, most wicked speed, to postWith such dexterity to incestuous sheets! (I.ii 156-157)Gertrude is shown to be a loving mother but a parent who cannot read into her sonss behavior. When answering Hamlet, she says that it is common for all men to die, but this is not just any man who has died, she should realize; its Hamlets own father! Also, when Gertrude asks Hamlet:
If it be,Why seems it so particular with thee? (I.ii 74-75)she means to calm him down, but the word “seems” only makes Hamlet more suspicious. She fails to realize that in his sensitive mood, the word “seems” will give Hamlet the impression that she is hiding something. At this point, Gertrude has the opportunity to ask Hamlet what he is implying and face the issue, but she is the type of woman who just wants everything to be smoothed over without thinking too deeply. Someone might wonder whether Gertrude really is concealing some knowledge about a murder, but in Act II, scene 2, there is evidence that Gertrude really hasnt taken part in the plot. Hamlet suspects her of being an accomplice with Claudius in his fathers murder. Its too bad, therefore, that Hamlet doesnt hear Gertrudes private conversation with Claudius in which she gives her theory about Hamlets anger:
I doubt it is no other but the main,His fathers death and our oerhasty marriage.(II.ii 56-57)Gertrudes conscience may finally be bothering her, but only about her quick marriage, not about anything worse. If Hamlet hadnt scolded her, the thought might never have occurred to her that the marriage took place too soon. Her comments show that Gertrude probably was not an accomplice. Up until now, we might have believed Hamlet. However, Claudius and Gertrude are talking privately and still Gertrude makes no reference to any plot. Her sincere reason for hoping that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern can provide clues to Hamlets behavior is so that she can help Hamlet feel better (a strong contrast to Claudius sinister motives). In other words, Gertrudes worst fault seems to be insensitivity towards her son. She shows no awareness of how her husband died and therefore no insight into what Hamlet suspects. The irony here is that Gertrudes motivation in watching Hamlets behavior is genuine concern for his well-being, while Claudius concern is with his own well-being.
Another example of Gertrudes lack of awareness is inability to realize that her second marriage can be seen as adultery by those around her. Her attitude is that if she and Claudius had simply waited longer before marrying to give Hamlet more time to grieve Hamlet might have reacted better. She doesnt face Hamlets concept that perhaps the marriage shouldnt have happened at all. Love is the answer to all problems for Gertrude.
She shows this simple-minded thinking also in Act III, scene 1. She tells Ophelia about her hope that Hamlets madness came from his love for Ophelia. If Gertrude keeps believing this, she wont have to face the marriage as the problem or feel guilty. Gertrudes romantic outlook again keeps her from seeing truth.
Because of Hamlets powerful belief in his mothers guilt, he takes his anger out on Ophelia, who Hamlet may think is just another insincere woman like his mother. Hamlet is determined to use the play to get at his mothers conscience in addition to Claudius.